Schleicher County Commissioners met Monday with Greg Neal, representative of Kinder Morgan, about extending the 90-day contract the county made with his company for the Permian Highway Pipeline. Neal advised that he will present them with a draft resolution and order approving a road use agreement in the near future. He said the agreement will induce a map for road use within the county and provide for compensation for any damages that might occur to county roads while the company’s 42-inch natural gas pipeline is being constructed across the county.

A detailed plan will also be submitted regarding traffic use of the few county roads the pipeline will cross. Two of the roads are in Precinct #2, and one in Precinct #1, but Neal said most of the company’s traffic will be on state highways. He noted that work on the pipeline has already begun in Reeves County and said that dirt preparation should begin here in early October.

The commissioners approved the 90- day extension Neal sought.

In other business, the commissioners approved a request for indigent cremation and burial in the amount of $900 to $1,000.

An hour-long executive session for the discussion of real property and personnel matters ended with no action being taken in open meeting.

The commissioners then approved a service agreement with VGI Camera Service for 2020 in the amount of $143.00 per month.

A letter was also signed allowing Reed, McKee & Company to release the financial audit they performed for the county earlier in the year. The audit will be presented to the commissioners at a later date.

Eldorado Events Committee representatives Crystal Dearman and Mickey Romero then asked to use the Schleicher County Civic Center for a dance and small haunted house for children. The court waived the rental fee, but said the cleaning fee had to be paid in advance and would be returned upon inspection. The event will be held on October 26th.

The commissioners also approved the 2019-2020 RAMP Grant with TxDOT. The county has applied for the matching grant to help keep the airport runway and fuel system in good condition.

Commissioner Kirk Griffin then updated the court on the sale of used road equipment through Ritchie Brothers. He said the equipment is expected to bring in more than $71,000.

County Judge Charlie Bradley then updated the commissioners on a crude oil pipeline that will be crossing the southwest corner of the county. It was noted that the pipeline will eventually carry four million to eight million barrels per day of crude oil and natural gas condensate from West Texas to Houston.

Bradley then advised the commissioners about the lobbying efforts made by groups form San Angelo, Midland, Odessa and Sonora in hopes of having Interstate Highway 27 come to their towns.

Bradley reminded the commissioners of the upcoming public hearings on the 2019-20 proposed budget. The hearings are slated for 9 a.m. on September 16th and 23rd in the Memorial Building.